New Guardian podcast to ‘expose Australia’s failure’ on climate crisis

Guardian Australia has created a five-episode special within its Full Story podcast vertical, which will see former prime ministers, high-ranking politicians and climate experts “blow the whistle on how Australia became an international climate change pariah”.

Australia v The Climate launches in the lead up to the COP26 global climate summit and will scrutinise Australia’s role in the climate crisis over more than two decades.

The publisher said it will take listeners inside the special deals, bullying and brief moments of hope that have marked Australia’s role in international efforts to address global heating.

“… It will tell the story of a country that has built a reputation of working against international efforts to deal with the climate crisis – of missed opportunities, vested interests and diplomatic tricks,” it added.

It will also draw on Guardian Australia’s editorial experts, including editor Lenore Taylor, environment editor Adam Morton and reporter Graham Readfearn.

Taylor said Guardian Australia has a proud record of reporting on the climate crisis when others have turned away.

“This series builds on that legacy, drawing on Guardian Australia’s unrivalled expertise in climate journalism to give vital context ahead of COP26.”

Morton said he thinks listeners will be surprised by what is uncovered on the podcast.

“It has been an extraordinary opportunity to look in detail at how Australia has influenced and disrupted international climate action over the past 25 years,” he added.

Episode one of the podcast launched today. Readfearn said the team recorded more than 30 hours of interviews to uncover a story that will shock and inform everyone

The podcast was supported by grants to The Guardian Civic Journalism Trust.